I’ve come to resent this column a little bit. Each time I compile Cincinnati vs. the World, I feel my
intrinsic sense of trust and optimism being drained, drop by drop, as I
struggle to find positive world news to complement local Cincinnati
stories for my weekly tally.

Ohio Gov. John Kasich signed a measure into law that will
crack down on puppy mills — inhumane, large-scale dog breeding
operations run for profit, often resulting in severe neglect and abuse. CINCINNATI +1

Celebrity gourmand Anthony Bourdain was asked by a reader
during a live chat on Gawker.com to validate the quality of Cincinnati
chili; he responded that it was not good but could be “enjoyable when
stoned.” CINCINNATI -2

Despite Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted’s best efforts
to deter early voting across the state this election cycle, state
election officials estimate that Ohio has seen a record turnout of early
voters this year. CINCINNATI +2

Xavier University has reversed its controversial decision
to not pay for employees’ birth control as part of healthcare plans
after realizing that since announcing the end of the coverage July 1,
the school has actually continued to cover birth control costs. CINCINNATI +2

Ann Coulter says the darndest things. The Republican
pundit tweeted this gem to her more than 200,000 Twitter followers,
referencing President Obama: “I highly approve of Romney’s decision to
be kind and gentle to the retard.” WORLD -2

President of the Central Mississippi Tea Party Janis Lane told the Jackson Free Press
that women are too emotionally unstable and “diabolical” to be able to
vote rationally, like men: “Our country might have been better off if it
was still just men voting,” she mused. WORLD -2

The nurse who was the famous receiver of the lip-locking
depicted in the iconic 1945 “Kissing Sailor” photo from Times Square
symbolically marking the end of WWII attests she was actually manhandled
against her will by the sailor, who was a complete stranger; by modern
standards, that’s an instance of sexual assault that’s been glorified. WORLD -2

The Ohio Democratic Party sent Ohio Treasurer/Senate
candidate Josh Mandel a new pair of pants on his birthday, poking fun at
Mandel’s PolitiFact Ohio record for most “Pants on Fire” ratings, which
evaluate the honesty of politicians’ public statements. CINCINNATI +2

In Ohio, presidential candidates have beefed up on
everyone’s favorite kind of television commercial: political ads.
Between April and September 2008, Ohio political ads totaled 43,827;
during that same period in 2012, that number has more than doubled:
114,840. CINCINNATI -1